Last night, guests waited anxiously at it spot Grey Goose Soho House for TIFF 2011’s favourite hometown heartthrob, Ryan Gosling. The intimate pre-Drive premiere cocktail was buzzing with will he or won’t he questions (it reeked of desperation) until finally, just after 7 p.m., Gosling swayed into the loft space, charming as ever, with a series of hugs, hellos and a single fist pump. In a speckled wool blazer and a shaggier-than-normal haircut, he appeared far more law student than leading man. (And that’s why the ladies love him.) Around the party, Alliance Films executives talked shop, random women at the charcuterie table ogled Gosling, and Dave Matthews attended once again, though we’re still not sure why.

As the event drew to a close, Drive director Nicolas Winding Refn milled about as Ryan and his favourite date—mama Gosling—stood in the centre of the room all sweet and smiley. We got the chance to speak with the sex symbol before he was corralled away to the premiere. When asked about his feelings on good ol’ Toronto, he had nothing but rave reviews. In quirky Gosling fashion: “It rules with an iron fist made of love and magic.” Oscar-nominated and poet? Ryan’s talent truly has no bounds.